Separable slide fastener



March 19, 1940. 1.. H. MORIN n AL SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER Filed April 13, 1938 INVENTOR 0/5 Mom/v &

V/J MAW/MSW). ATTORbC Patented Mar. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER Application April 13, 1938, Serial No. 201,686

6 Claims.

This invention relates to slide fasteners comprising stringers having coupling links or scoops thereon adapted to be coupled and uncoupled by a slider movable longitudinally of the stringers;

o and particularly to what are commonly known as separable fasteners; that is to 'say, fasteners wherein the stringers are completely detached and are adapted to be coupled and uncoupled by an end stop coupling disposed at one end of the stringers, said coupling comprising a pin part secured to one stringer and a socket part on the other stringer. More particularly, the invention relates to separable fasteners of the character described wherein the tapes of the stringers have inwardly foldable end portions at the end thereof to which the coupling members are attached so as to produce a neat and finished as well as reinforced end to the tapes of the stringers. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of one end portion of the stringers of a separable fastener, indicating one method of constructing the tapes thereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the eyelet flanges employed to reinforce, the stringer'ends.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view, illustrating the ends of the stringers with the eyelet flanges attached thereto, with the coupling elements in position to be mounted on said flanges.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the method of securing one of the coupling members in position.

Fig. 5 is a partial section on the line 5--5 of Fig.4.

Fig. 6 shows the stringers constructed as in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, in coupled relationship.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one end of a stringer employed in the construction of another form of device which is employed.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, indicating the manner of firmly securing the coupling to the stringer when applied as in Fig. 10; and,

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one end of a stringer of the general type shown in Fig. 3 showing a modified form of construction.

In practice we employ as a means for detachably coupling the stringers of a separable fastener in producing what is commonly referred to as separable fasteners; that is to say, wherein both stringers may be completely detached one from the other, two coupling members IS, IS as shown detached and in perspective in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The member I5 forms what is commonly termed the pin part, and is provided with an elongated channel II extending throughout the length and opening through one side thereof; and this channel is of the cross-sectional form indicated in Fig. 3. It will be understood that the 'channel I1 is normally spread for free attachment to the mounting tape as later described. The pin member I5 is provided on the inner surface thereof with an elongated projecting rib I8 which engages the channeled pin portion 19 of the member IS in maintaining alinement of the two members one with respect to the other when coupled together as seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The outer end of the member I5 or the inner surface thereof is also bevelled as seen at 20 to per-. mit free insertion into and out of the channel or socket 2 I, of the member IS in coupling and uncoupling said members.

The channel 2! is formed at one side of an enlarged body 22 on the member I6 and the pin portion I9 simply constitutes an integral extension to the body 22; and said pin portion includes the body 22 as a continuous channel 23 of the same cross-sectional form as the channel l1 and which extends throughout the length of the member IS. The socket or channel 2! has a closed end wall 24 which limits the movement of the pin member it into the socket 2| as will be seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The end wall 24 also closes the end of the channel 23 as will be apparent. The socket 2! has at its outer edges inturned flanges 25 which overlap the outer sides ofthe pin member I5 to retain the members l5 and I6 against lateral displacement when coupled together. v

Both members I5 and it are preferably formed as die castings, and may be produced 'in metallic castings, especially when applied to separable fasteners employing metallic links; or may be in the form of thermoplastic castings, as for exers employing thermoplastic links.

At this time attention is directed to the fact that while in later description I deal with the method of attaching metallic castings, it will be understood that when thermoplastic castings are employed, the members i5 and I6 may be cemented or otherwise secured in position. In fact, due to the spring properties of such thermoplastic material as cellulose acetate, these members may be actually sprung into position by simply forcibly sliding the same on to the stringers in accordance with the teachings later described.

The upwardly and downwardly projecting shoulder portions 26 at the inner end of the body 22 form stop shoulders for limiting the movement of a conventional slider on the stringers. However, the slider is not shown as it forms no direct part of the present invention, and these devices are commonly known in the art. As in other devices of this kind, the pin member [5 is coupled and uncoupled with the socket member [5 by passage through the slider when arranged in abutting position with the shoulders 26.

In Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive and in Fig. 12, we have indicated one manner of constructing the stringer tapes for receiving the members l5 and i6; whereas in the other figures, another method of construction is illustrated. In the first named figures, we have indicated at 21, 21a a pair of stringers which make up a complete fastener f the character described and have illustrated one end portion only of such stringers, it being understood that the other end. of the stringers are provided with any desired stops as commonly employed. At 28, 28a are shown a view of the links or scoops mounted upon adjacent edge portions of the tapes, which edge portions in the construction shown are enlarged by the attachment of strings or strands 29, 29a to upper and lower surfaces of the tapes 21, 21a by suitable stitchings as at 30. These stitchings preferably include either wire strands or rayon threads to provide contacts with the links 28, 28a attached thereto. In the use of wire or other metallic strand, the same is employed to contact metallic links to facilitate electroplating the same; whereas the rayon threads are employed to more securely retain the links in position by treating the stringer tapes with a solvent such as acetone in cementing the links firmly in position.

In preparing the tapes 21, 21a for the attachment of the members l5, IS, the enlarged beaded or corded edges 29, 29a are cut away as seen at 3| at a predetermined distance from the end links on the tapes. The remaining flap portions 32 of the tapes have their ends trimmed as seen at 33 by the zigzag .cuts. These flaps which normally extend as at the left of Fig. l, are then folded inwardly upon the tapes as at the right of Fig. 1.

In the next step in the process of forming the end stops, reinforcing plates as at 34, Fig, 2 of the drawing, formed left and rights, are now mounted upon the ends of the stringer tapes. These plates form what may be termed eyelet flanges and are preferably composed of sheet material folded centrally to form a beaded portion 35 adapted 'to extend around the edges 23, 29a of the tapes and two side plates 36, 31, having vertically registering apertures 33. The plate to pierce the tapes including the flaps 32 and to be folded onto the plate 31 as clearly seen in Fig. 3. When the reinforcing plates 34 are attached in the manner shown in Fig. 3, the tapes including the flaps 33 thereof may be pierced where the apertures 38 are located so as to form holes extending entirely through the stringers for receiving eyelets, rivets or other securing devices employed in attaching the stringers to predetermined garments or articles of merchandise.

In Fig. 12, a slight modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive is shown, wherein elongated aperatures 38a are substituted for the apertures 38 so as to receive reinforcing straps 4|, arranged transversely of the tape ends, to reinforce the attachment of the stringers to a garment or other support, especially where the threads pass through the stringer tapes beyond the edge of the reinforcing plate employed. Otherwise, the construction shown in Fig. 12 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. It will be understood in this connection that the strap 4| is looped through the apertures 38a so as to expose the strap upon upper and lower surfaces of the stringer tape.

Each of the plates 34 has an opening 42 formed in the beaded portion 35 thereof to form a keyway to receive an inwardly pressed portion 43 on the members l and I5, for example as illustrated on the member i5 in Fig. 5 of the drawing. This detent or key member 43 is formed by a punch 44 as shown in Fig. 5, and this operation is preferably performed when the members I5 and I6 are secured to the beaded portions 35 of the plates 34 by squeezing the same between mandrels 45 and 46, which operation closes the channels I! and 23 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing. This operation firmly or the plates 34 thereof; and forms a strong and durable construction. It will be understood that the punching operation by atool similar to the tool 44, will be performed through the socket 2| of the member l6. As the operations are the same in both members, the operations indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing are therefore not repeated in applying the same to the member l6. It will, of course, be understood that the mandrel used for the member It will be shaped to conform to the irregular contour of said member to provide substantially even pressure throughout the full length of the chan nel 23..

The members l5 and I6, when attached to the stringer ends as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing, will be firmly and positively retained against displacement; and moreover, the tapes of the stringers will be reinforced by the ln-turned flaps 32 which produce not only a neat and tin-- ished appearance at the end of the stringers, but also a neat finish by the zigzag cut at the free edge of the flaps. It will, of course, be understood that in attaching the members l5 and IS, the same are slid onto the stringers with the plates 34 attached thereto in the manner or relationship illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

In Figs. '7 to 11 inclusive, another form of construction is shown wherein the members I5 and ii are attached to stringer tapes which do not incorporate the reinforcing plates or eyelet flanges 34, adapting the fastener to garments or other supports which do not require the reinforced mounting, or which do not employ eyelets or rivets in securing the ends of the stringers secures the members l5 and it upon the stringers I to the support. To simplify this illustration, the same is applied only to one of the tapes; it being understood in this connection that the description as applied to this tape and the member I5 mounted thereon, also applies to the other companion tape to which the member I6 is attached. In these figures, 41 represents a stringer tape having the upper and lower cords 48 stitched 'to one edge thereof in the same manner as the attachment of the cords 29, 29a; the end link of the tape being indicated at 49.

With this construction, the outer end of the tape 41 has a zigzag cut as at 50, and the cords 48 are removed for a predetermined distance longitudinally of the tape, for example up to the line 5|, indicated in Fig. 8. The cords are then turned outwardly and the flap 52 is then folded inwardly upon the adjacent portion of the tape 41, being preferably cut at the point 53 so as to permit the inner edge 54 of the flap to be disposed upon and to envelope the cord 48 which is disposed upon the upper surface of the tape in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawing.- The cords 48 are then allowed to extend longitudinally of the tape and to be used as means for guiding the attachment of the members l5, I6 onto that part of the tape including the flap 52 and the edge portion 54 thereof.

If desired, the flap 52 may be cemented or otherwise secured in position. However, when the member 52 is mounted in position and compressed on to the tape through the medium of mandrels 45, 45a, as in the structure shown in Fig. 4, and the member l5 indented bypunch 44a, said member will be securely retained in position against displacement from the stringer. Upon a consideration of Fig. 11 of the drawing, it will appear that the edge portion 54 of the flap 52 is disposed over and envelops the cord 48 which is arranged upon the upper surface of the tape. In constructing the member I5,- as well as the companion coupling member I6, the same will be made to suit the structure of the tape as disclosed in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive in the proper arrangement of the members l5 and I6 on said tapes.

The construction shown in Figs. '7 to 11 in; clusive will form a neat and finished end construction for the stringer and will, at the same time, provide a strong reinforcement for the tape and will permit the free stitching of the tape to the support; there being no reinforcing plate to contend with. It will also appear that by looping the end portion 54 around One of the cords, the flap reinforcing portion 52 is securely retained against lateral displacement on the tape. It will be understood that after the members l5 and I6 have been attached to the respective stringers, the cords or strands 4.8 protruding beyond the folded end 55 f the stringers may be trimmed off. On the other hand, 'in some instances, these protruding strands may be utilized in securing the fasteners to predetermined supports and especially where the support extends beyond the end of the stringer.

It will, of course, be understood that reinforcing plates substantially as shown in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, may be attached to tapes produced as in Figs. '7 to 11 inclusive; in which event the members l5, I6 will have to be constructed to suit the added thickness of the beaded portions 35 of the plates, and said beaded portions will also be made sufflciently large to receive the added thickness of the material employed.

It will be understood that the cast members I5, I6, especially when composed 'of metal, will have their upper and lower surfaces at the edges thereof longitudinally of the channels, spread apart a slight distance, which is rectified after the members have been forced or pinched together through the medium of the mandrels 45, 46, so that the resulting members will have substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces as viewed transversely of said members.

With the construction of the character described, the operation of producing and assembling the end stops is materially simplified. By utilizing suitable gages, the entire operation becomes automatic with respect to attaching the reinforcing plates as well as the members l5 and IS; the sliding operation of applying the members I5, I6, being a simple and at the same time positive one in that the members I5 and I6 are properly positioned with respect to the arrangement on the stringers in a transverse direction. It will also appear that the inner end of the pin member I5 is disposed adjacent the end link 28' on the stringer 21; and if desired, this may be utilized as a means for properly alining the member I5 on said stringer. This construction is also advantageous from the standpoint that it facilitates better attachment and detachment of the stringers or the members [5 and I6 thereof. This operation is also facilitated by beveling the inner end of the pin portion I9 of the member I6 as seen at Illa, in'Fig. 6 of the drawing, which will provide a greater flexibility for the end link on the opposed stringer.

It will also appear that by forming the pin portion I9 as an integral part ofthe body 22 of the cast member I6, the operation of coupling such a pin member with such a body is eliminated. It will also appear that a better alinement as well as a better appearance will be provided on the entire device, and especially in maintaining parallel relationship of the channels I1, 23 of the members l5, IS, with respect to the enlarged or beaded edges of the stringers.

It will be understood that insofar as the teachings of Figs. '7 to 11 inclusive are concerned, this type of tape end construction may be utilized in connection with coupling members of any type or kind suitable for attachment thereto; as this tape end construction forms a strong reinforcement which will be applicable to any type of fastener.

It will be understood that the channels I! and 23 are what might be termed dovetail in crosssectional form; that is to say, the channels are of greater vertical dimensions within the respective members I5 and I 6 than the corresponding dI- mensions of the openings through the side edges of said members. The expression dovetail as used in the claims is to define this structure.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is:

1. A'slide fastener of the class described comprising stringer tapes with coupling links arranged longitudinally of one edge thereof, said tapes projecting beyond the end links at one end of the stringers to form coupling end portions, said coupling end portions having end flaps integral with said tape ends and of substantially rectangular form arranged upon one side surface of the tapes to reinforce said coupling end portions, coupling members arranged upon the coupling end portions of the stringer tapes, said members having interlocking portions for coupling the stringer ends together, said flaps reinforcing the stringer tapes where the coupling members are arranged thereon substantially throughout the full length of the members on said tapes, reinforcing plates arranged upon the coupling end portions of said stringers, said reinforcing plates being disposed around the beaded edges of the tapes and upon upper and lower surfaces of said tapes, and means passed through the tapes and flap portions thereof securing said reinforcing plates in position within the boundaries of said flaps.

2. A slide fastener of the class described comprising stringer tapes with coupling links arranged longitudinally of one edge thereof, said tapes projecting beyond the end links at one end of the stringers to form coupling end portions, said coupling end portions having end flaps integral with said tape ends and of substantially rectangular form arranged upon one side surface of the tapes to reinforce said coupling end portions, coupling members arranged upon the coupling end portions of the stringer tapes, said members having interlocking portions for coupling the stringer ends together, said flaps reinforcing the stringer tapes where the coupling members are arranged thereon substantially throughout the full length of the members on said tapes, reinforcing plates arranged upon the coupling end portions of said stringers, said reinforcing plates being disposed around the beaded edges of the tapes and upon upper and lower surfaces of said tapes, means passed through the tapes and flap portions thereof securing said reinforcing plates in position within the boundaries of said flaps, and said coupling members having inwardly extending portions passing through said reinforcing plates and engaging the beaded edges of the stringer tapes to retain said members against displacement from the tapes and said reinforcing plates.

3. In fastener stringers of the class described employing stringer tapes with coupling links arranged longitudinally of one beaded edge thereof, the tapes at one end of each stringer projecting beyond the end links to form coupling portions, said ends of the tape having substantially rectangular flaps arranged upon one surface of the tapes at the coupling end portions thereof to reinforce said coupling end portions and to finish said tape ends, the beaded edges of the tapes being formed by cords secured to opposed surfaces of the tapes, a coupling pin secured to one beaded edge of the coupling end portion of one stringer, a socket member secured to the beaded edge of the coupling end portion of the other stringer, said pin member being insertable into and out of the socket member in coupling and uncoupling said stringer ends, said fiaps reinforcing substantially the entire area of the coupling end portions of the tape, other means reinforcing the coupling end portions of said tapes, and said last named means comprising reinforcing plates arranged upon the beaded edge and both side surfaces of the tapes having fastening devices passed through the tapes including said reinforcing flaps.

4. In fastener stringers of the class described employing stringer tapes with coupling links arranged longitudinally of one beaded edge thereof, the tapes at one end of each stringer projecting beyond the end links to form coupling portions, said ends of the tape having substantially rectangular flaps arranged upon one surface of the tapes at the coupling end portions thereof to reinforce said coupling end portions and to finish said tape ends, the beaded edges of the tapes being formed by cords secured to opposeo surfaces of the tapes, a coupling pin secured to one beaded edge of the coupling end portion of one stringer, a socket member secured to the beaded edge of the coupling end portion of the other stringer, said pin member being insertable into and out of the socket member in coupling and uncoupling said stringer ends, said flaps reinforcing substantially the entire area of the coupling end portions of the tape, other means reinforcing the coupling end portions of said tapes, said last named means comprising reinforcing plates arranged upon the beaded edge and both side surfaces of the tapes having fastening devices passed through the tapes including said reinforcing flaps, and a reinforcing strap arranged transversely of the coupling end portions of the tapes and secured thereto.

5. In fastener stringers of the class described employing stringer tapes with coupling links arranged longitudinally of one beaded edge thereof, the tapes at one end of each stringer projecting beyond the end links to form coupling portions, said ends of the tape having substantially rectangular flaps arranged upon one surface of the tapes at the coupling end portions thereof to reinforce said coupling end portions and to finish said tape ends, the beaded edges of the tapes being formed by cords secured to opposed surfaces of the tapes, a coupling pin secured to one beaded edge of the coupling end portion of one stringer, a socket member secured to the beaded edge of the coupling end portion of the other stringer, said pin member being insertable into and out of the socket member in coupling and uncoupling said stringer ends, said flaps reinforcing substantially the entire area of the coupling end portions of the tape, part of the reinforcing flap of each tape being arranged upon the beaded edge thereof, and the cords forming said beaded edge protruding beyond the coupling end portions of the tapes.

6. A slide fastener of the class described comprising stringer tapes with coupling links arranged longitudinally of one edge thereof, said tapes projecting beyond the end links at one end of the stringers to form coupling end portions, said coupling end portions having end flaps integral with said tape ends and of substantially rectangular form arranged upon one side surface of the tapes to reenforce said coupling end portions, coupling members arranged upon the coupling end portions of the stringer tapes, said members having interlocking portions for coupling the stringer ends together, said flaps forming in conjunction with said tapes double layer reenforced tape portions extending throughout the full length of said coupling members, and means joining said coupling members throughout substantially the entire length thereof to said reenforced tape portions.

LOUIS H. MORIN. DAVIS MARINSKY. 

